Plumbing fixture



Dec. 17, 1935. .J. s. JUDELI.

PLUMBING FIXTURE Filed Aug.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLUIVIBINGFIXTURE Application August 12, 1935, Serial No. 35,780 9 claims.` (o1.4-148) The present invention relates in general to improvements inplumbing iixtures, and relates more specifically to an adjustablefixture for wash receptacles.

A general object of the invention is to provide a unitary, adjustableplumbing fixture mounted adjacent a tub or receptacle and adjustable toposition the discharge head at a considerable elevation above thereceptacle, or within or adjacent the receptacle, or positionablethroughout a range between said limits, the device serving the purposeof multiple xtures and requiring but a single set of control valves (ora mixing valve).

A further object of the invention is to provide a xture of the characterdescribed in which the discharge head is universally adjustable fordirecting the discharge therefrom in various directions relative to thereceptacle, and in which the head may be arranged for manipulation toconvert the discharge from a stream or jet to a spray, and viceversa.

In co-pending applications Serials #27,957, liiled June 22, 1935, and1,754, filed January 1, 1935, issued August 13, 1935, as patent #2,011,-446, there are disclosed fixtures of the same general type as in thepresent invention, only said prior fixtures were designed to meetrequirements against back-siphoning, which necessitated the location, orlimited the disposition of the discharge heads to a position above thetop of the tub or receptacle. These prior fixtures could not, therefore,be set with the discharge head or nozzle within the receptacle for thepurpose of directing the jet or spray upwardly relative to the body of aperson seated within the receptacle. Said prior fixtures, therefore,conned movement of the head to the longitudinal plane of the receptacle,because the head was of necessity kept above the receptacle walls.

The present invention is not concerned with the problem ofback-siphoning and aims at the provision of a fixture which permits thedischarge head to be brought down into the confines of the receptaclefor a wide range of adjustment including directing the same upwardly orhorizontally.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a unitaryadjustable fixture for wash receptacles wherein the head is adjustablycarried by the outer end of an adjustably mounted, sectional conduit inwhich the sections of the conduit are also adjustably joined, wherebythe entire fixture is susceptible of being adjusted and disposedrelative to the receptacle in a great many positions and at variouselevations, to suit the position and convenience of the user'.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a plumbing fixturewhich can be adjusted and manipulated very simply and rapidly with- 5out the use of tools.

Other specific objects of the invention are to provide an adjustable,multiple-purpose fixture of the character described which is simple inconstruction, which may be conveniently in- 10 stalled, assembled, ordismantled, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which is highlyeffective and efficient in operation.

The above and other objects and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing detailed de- 15 scription.

A clear conception of the several embodiments of the improvement and ofthe mode of constructing, manipulating and operating devices constructedin accordance therewith may be had 20 by referring to the drawingaccompanying and forming a part of this specification, in which likereference characters designate the same o1' similar parts in the variousviews.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through 2 a bathtub and adjoiningwall and floor portions and showing the improved fixture installed, atits inner end, within the tub, there being broken line showings ofvarious positions of adjustment of the fixture; 30

Fig. 2 is a similar view only showing the inner end of the iixtureinstalled above the tub;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the upper or outer jointmember and the discharge head, with the regulating disc in one po- 35sition of adjustment and showing the resulting form of the dischargedspray of water;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View of a modified form of upper orouter joint member and a modified form of discharge head associated 40therewith;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the discharge head of Fig. 3 with a portion ofthe disc broken away;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side View of the inner joint member and themounting plate therefor; 45 and Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional viewtaken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

While the invention has been shown herein as being specifically appliedto a bathtub, it will 50 be apparent that the novel features are moregenerally applicable to other types of receptacles, containers, sinks,and the like.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be apparent thatby way of illustrationY the improved fixture is shown as beingVassociated with a conventional bathtub 8, of the built-in type, and theadjoining end wall portions of the room wherein the tub is installed arerepresented by the numerals 9 and I9 respectively. The tub is providedwith the usual bottom drain opening II. Hot and cold water pipes I3 andI4, shown schematically, extend from a source (not shown) and areconcealed rearwardly of the wall 9, and within said pipes are hot andcold water control valvesV I5 and I6 operated by valve rods and handlesI1 and I8 projecting exteriorly of the wall 9 a suitable distance abovethe tub. ln lieu of the separate Y valves and valve handles, it isobvious that a conventional form of mixing valve may be used, ifdesired. The hot and cold water pipes merge into a single pipe I9 whichis extended through the wall. In Fig. 1 said pipe is extended throughthe wall portion I9 and through the end of the tub. It may beinconvenient to extend said pipe through the tub and Fig. 2 illustratesan arrangement wherein the pipe I9l is extended through the wall portion9 immediately Vabove the tub. Y

A bracket plate 29 embraces the outwardly projecting portion of the pipeI9, and said plate is secured to the outer surface of the wall 9. VThebracket plate carries a lower knuckle joint member designated generallyby thenumeral 2I.

Said'knuckle joint member is similar in construction to other knucklejoint members 22 and 22 used in the assembly, one being shown in detailin Figs. 3 and 7 and to be described fully hereinafter. The term knucklejoint as used herein and in the claims, is intended to cover any jointwhich allows relative angular movement between adjacent portions of twopipe or g conduit sections, or between a pipe or conduit section and anadjacent structure. Suiiice it to say thatthe joint member 2l iscomposed of two relatively movable sections having flat engagingsurfaces and pivotally held together by a pin 23. Ihe end of the pipe I9which is embraced by the bracket plate 29 opens into a hollow reservoirWithin the joint member 2I, and through certain ports water isdischarged into a boss 24 into which is threaded the inner end portionof an elongated, rigid, tubularconnection 25. The other end portion ofsaid connection 25 is threaded into a boss 24 on the joint member 22.

Adapted to connect and coact with the tubular connection 25 is anotherelongated rigid, tubular connection 25. The inner end portion of thisconnection is threaded into a boss 25 also Von the joint member 22, theconnection 25 and the boss being in commurn'cation with the reservoirportion oi the joint member 22 for water passage purposes. Obviouslythis structure forms a two-section jointed conduit. The entire conduitmay be moved orgadjusted on the joint member 2I and the outer conduitsection 26 may also be moved or adjusted on the joint member 22 andrelative to the conduit section 25. The

outer end portion of the connection or conduit section 26 is threadedinto a boss 21 on the joint member 22. e

With special reference to Figs. 3 and 7, it will be observed that thejoint member 22 includes a substantially semi-spherical section 28 whichis integral with the boss 2?. Said section 28 has a fiat face which isin engagement with a flat surface on a complementary semi-sphericalsection Y 29, the latter section having an integral, externally threadedstem 39 provided with an interior duct 3|. There is a pair of ducts 32in the section 29 establishing communication with the tubular member 29,at one end; and said ducts, at their other ends, open into a chamber 33in said section 28. Said chamber is complementary to a smaller chamber34 in the section 29 which communicates with the inner end of the duct3I. The sections 23 and 29 are pivotally held together by a pivot pin 35extended through a central portion of the section 29 and threaded 1ointo a portion of the section 28. Within a recess 36 in the section 29and surrounding a portion of the pin 35 there is a tension spring 31.The spring is seated against the inner face of an adjustment cap 3B onthe outer end of the 15 pin, and said cap may be turned in eitherdirection to vary the tension of said spring. Adjacent the meetingportions of the flat faces of the sections 28 and 29, disposed insuitable recesses, is a sealing ring or washer 39 to prevent leak- 2Gage between said sections. As previously men-v tioned, the joint member22', just described, may be exactly similar in construction to the jointmembers 2| and 22, the only difference being that the tension springsemployed in the mem- 25 bers 2l and 22 may be of diierent degrees ofstrength and tension than that employed in the member 22.

Threaded onto the outer end portion of the stem 39 is a spray-spout ordischarge head indi- 30 cated generally by the numeral 40. Saiddischarge head is similar in construction and operation to that shownand described in co-pending application Serial #27,957, led June 22,1935. The disc 4I in said head may be manipulated 35 to cause water toibe discharged in the form of an annular, diverging shower spray, or inthe form of a substantially solid jet or stream, as

desired. Y

In Fig. 4 a slight modication is illustrated. 40 The outer end portionof the conduit section 26 has secured therein a cylindrical Vportion ofa ball member 42. The ball member has a port 43 therethroughestablishing communication between the member 26 and the inner chamber44 4-5 of a discharge head 49. The head is substantially universallymovable on the Yball 42 and relative to the member 25 and is adjustablyheld on said ball by a gland 45 and a ring 46 engaging differentportions of the ball member 50 and in threaded engagement with internal,inner end portions of the discharge head. The discharge head 49 is ofthe type shown and described in U. S. Patent #2,011,446, and by manipulation of a disc 4I' the form of the dis- 5.3 charged water can beregulated.

Obviously, the joint member 2I permits movement of the conduit section25 relative to the' support, the joint member 22 permits movement of theconduit section 26 relative to the section 60 25, and the joint member22' (or the form of joint shown in Fig. 4) permits movement of the headmember relative to the conduit section 23. By this arrangement a greatvariety of positions of the apparatus may be attained, as appears 65from the full and broken line showings in Figs. 1 and 2.

The flow of water through the apparatus is as follows: Assuming thatboth of the valves I5 and I6 are opened, water flows from the pipes I3and I4 into the pipe I9 and mixes therein, as well as in the subsequentconnections. From the pipe I9 the Water flows through the joint member2| and into and through the conduit Section 25. At the outer end thereofthe Water 75 passes through the joint member 22 and then into andthrough the conduit section 26. At the end of this conduit section thewater passes through the outermost joint member and into and through thedischarge head, from whence it is discharged as a spray or jet.

With the improved apparatus installed as shown, a minimum of fittingsand parts are required and they are conveniently located relative to thetub or receptacle. The sectional and jointed conduit provides for agreat range and variety of positions for the discharge head for variouspurposes. If the device is to be used as a shower bath it may beadjusted similarly to the full line showings in the drawing and may bedisposed or swung to the proper elevation for the person using theapparatus. For shampooing or showering other portions of the body, thedevice may be manipulated to other intermediate positions. A person maystand in the receptacle or be seated exteriorly of the receptacle andlean over the same. It is also possible, as illustrated in broken lines,to position the discharge head within the lower portion of thereceptacle for directing a jet or spray upwardly relative to a personseated in the receptacle. With the conduit section 25 turned upwardlyand the conduit section 26 turned downwardly, the device may be used tolill, rinse or flush out the receptacle, and for these purposes the headmay be moved around on its joint member.

The apparatus is of particular advantage and is inexpensive tomanufacture and install in that it eliminates one complete set of valvesand spout necessary in the former combination spray and spoutinstallation. The adjustability of the twopart-conduit relative to thesupport, and the adjustability of the conduit sections relative to oneanother and the head relative to the conduit gives a wide range ofmovement and many convenient dispositions for multiple bathing andwashing purposes. While the improved plumbing fixture has been shown anddescribed herein as being specically applied to a receptacle in the formof a bathtub, it is the intent to have that term whenever employedherein, cover other types of wash receptacles. The entire structure isunique and attractive in appearance, may be very easily and convenientlyadjusted and manipulated, and has demonstrated its practicability inactual use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the presentinvention to the exact details of construction shown and described, forvarious modifications within the scope of the claims may occur topersons skilled in the art.

What is claimed as the invention is:-

l. A plumbing fixture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, and an elongated, sectional conduit between the head andthe support and pivotally connected to the latter, the discharge headand the outer end of the conduit being swingable from an elevatedposition over the receptacle and remote therefrom to a position withinthe receptacle.

2. A plumbing iixture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, and an elongated, sectional conduit between the head andthe support and pivotally' connected to the latter, the sections of theconduit being rigid, the discharge head and the outer end of the conduitbeing swingable from an elevated position over the receptacle and remotetherefrom to a position within the receptacle.

3. A plumbing fixture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, and an elongated, sectional conduit between the head andthe support and pivotally connected to the latter, the sections oftheconduit being rigid and connected by joint members permitting pivotalmovement of one conduit section relative to the adjacent section, thedischarge head and the outer end of the conduit being swingable from anelevated position over the receptacle and remote therefrom to a positionwithin the receptacle.

4. A plumbing fixture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, and elongated movable and intermediately jointed meansfor supporting said head for disposition throughout a range, one limitpoint of which is considerably above and the other limit point of whichis within the receptacle, said jointed means being pivotally connectedto the support.

5. A plumbing fixture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, -and elongated movable means for supporting said headfor disposition throughout a range, one limit point of which isconsiderably above and the other limit point of which is directlyadjacent the receptacle, said elongated means being formed of rigidconduit sections, and joint means between adjacentiends of saidsections, said elongated means being pivotally connected at its innerend. to said support.

6. A plumbing fixture, comprising an elongated tubular member formed ofrigid sections movably connected together and movably supported at oneend adjacent a receptacle, and a discharge head movably carried by theother end portion of the tubular member, the elongated member beingmovable and bendable to position the discharge head throughout a range,one limit point of which is consideraly above and the other limit pointof which is directly adjacent a receptacle.

7. A plumbing Xture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, and an elongated conduit between the head and thesupport and pivotally connected to both of the same, the conduit beingformed of a pair of pivotally connected sections, the head and the outerconduit section being swingable throughout a plane longitudinally of thereceptacle from an elevated position over the receptacle and remotetherefrom to a position directly adjacent the receptacle.

8. A plumbing xture, comprising a support adjacent a receptacle, adischarge head, and an elongated conduit between the head and thesupport and pivotally connected to both of the same, the conduit beingformed of a pair of pivotally connected sections, the head and the outerconduit section or the head and both conduit sections being swingablethroughout a plane longitudinally of the receptacle to dispose the headabove the receptacle and remote therefrom, within the receptacle, or inintermediate positions between said limits.

9. A plumbing fixture, comprising a joint member mounted on a supportadjacent a wash receptacle, another joint member pivotally carrying adischarge nozzle, a pair of elongated rigid conduit members interposedbetween said joint members, and another joint member interposed betweenthe adjacent ends ofA said conduit members, the innermost conduit memberbeing movable on its joint member relative to said support.

